News
The latest news, updates and analysis on the the UK retail industry. Covering every segment of the market, Retail Sector’s business journalists keep you in the picture.
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Feb- 2025 -10 February
New WH Smith owner ‘could close’ half of high street stores, experts warn
Any potential new WH Smith owner could close at least half of the retailer’s 500 high street stores if they take over the business, The Guardian has reported. It comes as industry experts told the outlet that they could see a reduction in the size of the business after any…
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10 February
Lidl increases pay for 28,000 hourly-paid staff
Lidl has announced a pay increase for 28,000 hourly-paid employees, with new rates coming into effect in March 2025. The discount grocer confirmed entry-level pay will rise to £12.75 nationally, up from £12.40 and increasing to £13.65 with length of service. Meanwhile, in London, new starters will see pay rates…
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10 February
Ikea receives 3,730 job applications in five days for Oxford Street store
Ikea has received 3,730 applications in just five days for its new Oxford Street store which is set to open in Spring 2025. According to Ikea, the high level of interest in the 150 available positions marks the “largest-ever” response the home furnishing retailer has seen in the UK, “breaking…
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10 February
British retailers search for import solutions amid US tariff chaos
British retailers are looking for ways to navigate recent import changes in the US amid ongoing “chaos and uncertainty” over Trump’s new tariff regime, with some exploring a restructure of their US operations or suspending exports altogether.It comes as the president recently imposed an additional 10% tariff on Chinese-made goods,…
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7 February
Aldi to create 500 apprenticeship roles in 2025
Aldi is looking to recruit over 500 new apprentices across the UK in 2025. The UK’s fourth-largest supermarket is welcoming applications for its apprenticeship scheme, with opportunities now live across stores and warehouse roles. At Aldi, store apprentices can earn £8.61 per hour, rising to £12.07. Inside the M25, store…
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7 February
John Lewis appoints Net-A-Porter MD as CCO
John Lewis has announced the appointment of Vikki Kavanagh as chief commercial officer to run the retailer’s commercial function. Kavanagh joins John Lewis from Yoox Net-A-Porter Group where she most recently served as managing director of both Net-A-Porter and Mr Porter. Before her MD positions, Kavanagh previously held senior buying…
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7 February
John Lewis commercial director departs after three years
John Lewis commercial director Kathleen Mitchell has left the business after joining the group three years ago. Before joining the retailer, Mitchell was managing and brand director at Accessorize for three years. She also held various senior roles at Stella & Dot and L’Oréal. In an announcement on LinkedIn, she…
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7 February
M&S recruits John Lyttle as clothing MD amid leadership reshuffle
M&S has announced that John Lyttle, the former CEO of Boohoo, will be joining as managing director of clothing, home and beauty on 3 March. The news comes as the retailer’s current MD of clothing, home and beauty, Richard Price, who has held the role since 2020, will be leaving…
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7 February
Watches of Switzerland ‘on track’ amid strong festive performance
Watches of Switzerland has announced it remains “on track” to hit its FY25 targets, as its Q3 performance was in line with its expectations, with “good trading” in the UK and US during the holiday period. For the 13 weeks to 26 January 2025, Watches of Switzerland has seen further…
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6 February
Today’s news in brief-6/2/25
Tesco is reportedly considering a takeover of over 100 Crown Post Office branches, potentially safeguarding them from closure as the state-owned Post Office reviews its directly managed network. Post Office chairman Nigel Railton informed MPs that Tesco expressed interest in acquiring the loss-making branches, part of a broader strategic review…
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